This core module is designed to develop discipline-specific abilities in the competent use of criminological theory to help understand concepts in criminology such as powerand concepts to understand crime, victimisation, inequality, social justice and responses to crime and deviance. The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive grounding in a range of criminological perspectives while familiarising them with the different assumptions, explanations and proposed solutions embedded within these theories. This module will explore the nature of criminology as a field of study, including what is criminology, the nature of crime and justice throughout history, the notion of 'crime' itself, criminology as an inter-disciplinary endeavour, and shifts towards thinking about harm, social justice and human rights.

It is also intended to sensitise students to the importance of the social contexts in which theories are produced.

The module is designed to develop students learning about 'crime' and 'criminal justice', in that they are not fixed and settled entities but complex and shifting processes whose different characteristics are revealed (and concealed) when viewed through the lenses of different theories.
The module will cover traditional criminological theories including:
Foundations of Criminological Theory
Classical & Positivist Criminology (Rational Choice Theories)
Interactionist Criminology

Crime & Economic Conditions (the Chicago School)
Anomie & Strain Theory
Subcultural Theories
Learning Theories

Control Theories
Left and Right Realism

Students are required to write a 2,000-word (+/- 10%) assignment in which they select two theoretical perspectives from the taught content and apply to two examples of offending behaviour that occurred in any of the real-life crime cases (the module leader will provide a list of cases). Students will apply one theory per example of criminal activity. In their response, students will need to demonstrate an understanding of the context of the chosen cases and apply an appropriate criminological theory to each case, while highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of their chosen criminological theories. The assignment must be referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Opportunities for formative assessment provided during the module. Learners receive formative feedback on one piece of draft coursework

Out of 200 hours, 26 hours will be class contact delivered in a lecture/seminar format, and 174 hours will be self-guided, independent study.

1. On completion of this module, you will be able to show knowledge and understanding of criminological theories
2. On completion of this module, you will be able to draw conclusions about the historical, political and policy contexts related to the emergence of criminological theory and responses to crime.
3. On completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate familiarity with the strengths and weaknesses of criminological theories
4. On completion of this module, you will communicate knowledge and understanding of key criminological theories effectively in written English

Students will have access to:
- The University library
- PCs with standard suite of University software providing access to e-mail, the internet, word processing, etc.
- Lecture rooms with access for disabled students, and suitable for group work
- The Blackboard virtual learning environment
- Full-text journals database for criminology (SAGE)

Burke, R. H. (2018) Introduction to Criminological Theory. Portland: Willan Publishing.
Case et al. (2021) The Oxford Textbook on Criminology . Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Carrabine, E., Cox, P., Fusset, P., Hobbs, D., South, N., Thiel, D., and Turton, J. (2014). Criminology: A sociological introduction 3rd Ed. Abingdon: Routledge
Liebling, A., Maruna, S. & McAra, L. (eds.) (2023) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology. 7th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press
McLaughlin, E., & Muncie, J. (2019) The SAGE Dictionary of Criminology. 4th edn. London: Sage.
Walklate, S. (2016) Criminology: The basics 3rd Ed. Milton: Taylor and Francis.

Additional reading available from the online reading list.

Theories of Crime and Justice provides you with a comprehensive grounding in the area of criminological theory. This module familiarises you with the different assumptions, explanations and proposed solutions embedded within these theories and sensitises you to the importance of the social contexts in which theories are produced. The module is also designed to develop your learning about 'crime' and 'criminal justice', so you learn that they are not fixed and settled entities but complex and shifting processes whose different characteristics are revealed (and concealed) when viewed through the lenses of different theories.